Sowing seeds of discord

🍯Sowing seeds of discord

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria , he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble —burned as they are?”

Nehemiah 4:2 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Sanballat could have insulted the Jews in his private quarters where only a few people are present. But he chose to do it in front of his associates and the army of Samaria. He did this to sow seeds of discord in their hearts. Our words have the power to create a positive or negative impression about a person.

Potiphar's wife turns Potiphar against Joseph

We see that Potiphar's wife said evil things against Joseph in front of the entire household and Potiphar. She calls them and tells them.

🔴she called her household servants. “Look,” she said to them, “this Hebrew has been brought to us to make sport of us!

Gen 39:14🔴

Potiphar trusted Joseph so much that he entrusted his entire household to Joseph. But the words of his wife turned him against Joseph. He took him and put him in prison.

 Seeds of discord in the family

❌There are six things the Lord hates—

no, seven things he detests : a person who sows discord in a family.

Proverbs 6:16,19❌

Are we sowing seeds of discord in our family by painting bad images of a person?

When a woman continues to say bad things about the man's family to the man, he will begin to get a negative image of his own family! I have seen this with my own eyes!

Who is at fault? The woman! May we never be the reason for sowing seeds of discord in families. It is something the Lord detests! May we be very careful in the words we use.

Am I painting good images? 🎨

We always delight in beautiful paintings. Given a chance, we would paint only good scenes. But why do we paint bad images of people to others? Let us make a conscious effort to not say bad things about others!

Never ridicule anyone

Never ridicule anyone

When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews .

Nehemiah 4:1

When Sanballat heard that the Jews were re building the wall, he ridiculed the Jews.

Some of the synonyms of ridicule are : mockery, sarcasm, scorn, scoffing

In plain words : looking down on someone.

👱‍♂David was ridiculed by his brothers and Goliath.

👱‍♂Joseph was ridiculed by his brothers.

👱‍♂Noah was ridiculed by the men whom he tried to save.

But God did not let them down. He blessed them and raised them to a high position. They never went back. They did not let the ridiculing stop them. They kept going with the grace of God and reached great heights.

In our life, we would have been looked down on several situations. It would have been very very painful. But God will never let us down.

🔆Those who look to Him are radiant, their faces are never covered with shame.

Psalms 34:5🔆

At the same time, we must be careful that we never ridicule anyone. Our words must be seasoned with grace.

🍯Gracious words are a honeycomb,

sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Proverbs 16:24 🍯

We must never tease or make fun of anyone even in a fun way. It might hurt them. Our words must bring healing to the one who hears them. It must be sweet to their soul!

Why was Sanballat angry?

❓ Why was Sanballat angry?  😡

🌀 When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews.

Nehemiah 4:1🌀

On the succession of Solomon's son, Rehoboam, around 930 BCE, the Israelite Kingdom split into two kingdoms:

▪the Kingdom of Israel ( containing Samaria) in the north

▪the Kingdom of Judah (containing Jerusalem) in the south.

Nehemiah came to build the wall in Jerusalem that lay in ruins. The wall was re built to protect the city and its citizens against the attack of the enemy.

Sanballat was the governor of Samaria. He was one of the rivals of Jerusalem. So he was angry see the city of Jerusalem being made safe and secure.

‎

Walls catch the attention of the enemy 👿

When the city lay in ruins, Sanballat was happy doing his work in his own place, Samaria. He can attack the city whenever he wants. But as soon as he heard that the wall is being rebuilt, he became angry.

Let us consider Job.

What did Satan say to God about Job?

🏠“ Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has?"

Job 1:10 🏠

The hedge that God has put around Job caught the enemy's eyes. Satan cannot do anything when a wall of protection is around us. This makes the enemy angry.

❓Are you building your wall today?

❓Are you repairing your wall today?

👿Yes, it will make the enemy angry!

😢But, don't be discouraged!

😊Keep building like Nehemiah!

Sanballat hearing good news

Sanballat hearing good news

👂When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews.

Nehemiah 4:1👂

 Hearing good news about others

Who is Sanballat?

Sanballat the Horonite — or Sanballat I — was a Samaritan leader and official of the Achaemenid Empire of Greater Iran who lived in the mid to late 5th century BC and was a contemporary of Nehemiah.

The walls of Jerusalem lay in ruins. Nehemiah went upto Jerusalem to build the walls and he started the process. When Sanballat heard this, he became angry! He was an opponent of the Jews and he did not like this turn of events. They were very angry at the undertaking, and had great indignation. It vexed them that Nehemiah came to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.

❓ How do we respond to good news about others?

🔆Nehemiah came to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.

🔆Christ came to seek the welfare of the children of the world.

😭The wall of Jerusalem lay in ruins.

😭The lives of people around us are in ruins.

🏡Nehemiah helped the people to rebuild the wall.

🏡Christ helped the people to rebuild their lives.

How do we react to all this?

Do we react like Sanballat at times?

It need not be anger. It may be sadness, jealousy, envy, bitterness. Let us analyze ourselves and learn how we react when we hear good news about others! 

May we praise God for the blessings in the lives of people around us! May we never give into envy/jealousy or anger!

Going the extra mile

🏃‍♀ Going the extra mile 🏃‍♀

Meremoth, son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired the next section.

Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired another section, from the entrance of Eliashib’s house to the end of it.

Nehemiah 3:4,21💞

The wall was repaired by many people. They repaired certain sections of the wall. But some people did not stop with one portion- they repaired more than one section.

Who were they?

1. Meremoth, son of Uriah

2. People of Tekoa

3. Binnui

4. Meshullam

These people had so much zeal for the Lord that their names have been recorded twice in chapter 3! What a blessing!

❓What does the phrase "go the extra mile" mean?

" to make more effort than is expected of you "

This phrase is taken from the what Jesus said is Matthew 5.

👏If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.

👕If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.

🏃‍♀ If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.

❓To whom do we have to do this?

To the evil person, says Jesus!

Rebekah going the extra mile

❓What does the senior servant of Abraham ask Rebekah?

💦I said to her, ‘Please give me a drink.’(Gen 24:45)

❓What does Rebekah do and say?

🏺“She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels too.’ So I drank, and she watered the camels also. 🐫

 (Gen 24:46)

When he asked Rebekah for water, Rebekah could have said:

▪Please get it yourself. Its difficult to go down into the spring and come back up.

▪Okay, I will give you a drink.

But she quickly lowered her jar and volunteered to get water for the camels too. She certainly knows that camels drink a lot of water! I often think, this trait of Rebekah enabled her to get a wonderful husband, Isaac.

🔆 Application 🔆

❓Today, are we longing to go the extra mile in serving our Lord?

❓When someone asks us for something, do we go the extra mile?

👩May we be like Rebekah and give others more than what they ask/need!

Meremoth- not living upto his name

 Meremoth- not living upto his name

Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired another section, from the entrance of Eliashib’s house to the end of it.

Nehemiah 3:21💞

We leant that Bavvai@ Binnui, lived upto his name which means "building up". Today, let's learn about Meremoth, who did not have a very good name, but led a good life!

Meremoth means:

▪Bitterness

▪Haughty/lofty

▪Uncertain

But he did not have these traits, but led a life of truth and service!

❓Who is Meremoth?

Meremoth is the son of Uriah, a priest.

❌ NOT BITTER

Eliashib was found to have traits that even Nehemiah despised. Due to his actions, Nehemiah chased the high priest from his presence. All the priests were repairing in from of their own house.

🏠the priests made repairs, each in front of his own house.

Neh 3:28🏠

But Meremoth, did repairs from the beginning till the end of High priest Eliashib’s house. He chose not to be bitter against Eliashib. He willingly repaired the High priest's house.

❌ NOT UNCERTAIN

🏆in the house of our God, we weighed out the silver and gold and the sacred articles into the hands of Meremoth son of Uriah, the priest.

Ezra 8:33🏆

Gold and silver are very valuable. It will be given into the hands of a person who is found true in the eyes of God. Meremoth was found to be true and all the gold, silver were given to him. He was not a wavering person but someone who could be counted upon.

❌ NOT LOFTY

Lofty means "thinking high of oneself". There are some members who repaired more than one section. It shows their zeal for the Lord. It shows their humility.

🔨Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired the next section.

Nehemiah 3:4 🔨

He was not lofty to stop with one. He willingly yielded himself to repair Eliashib’s house too.

🔆 APPLICATION🔆

Meremoth's parents could have given him a negative name as the city was in ruins or due to other circumstances. But he chose not to live upto that name. The mother of Jabez gave birth to him in pain and gave him that name. But he chose not to live in pain. He looked upto the Lord and asked him to bless him.

People could have branded  us as "bitter, negative, proud, angry, arrogant, haughty". But let us choose not to live upto those labels. Let us look upto God and be transformed into His own image!

What's in a name?

 📍 What's in a name? 📍

Next to him, the repairs were made by their fellow Levites under Binnui son of Henadad, ruler of the other half-district of Keilah.

Nehemiah 3:18

Binnui, also known as Bavvai was the ruler of half district of Keilah. His name means, "building up"!

According to his name, he was involved in the re-building of the wall! He lived upto his name!

❓What work did he do?

1. He supervised the building of the house of the Lord

🏠The sons of Henadad and their sons and brothers—all Levites—joined together in supervising those working on the house of God.

Ezra 3:9🏠

2. He built two sections in the wall.

Near the water gate (Nehemiah 3:18)

From Azariah’s house to the angle and the corner (Neh 3:24)

3. He was also one of the people who sealed the binding agreement.

Those who sealed it were:Binnui of the sons of Henadad

Nehemiah 10:1,9

He has been with Ezra and Nehemiah and helped in building the house of the Lord and the wall. He lived upto his name!

🔆 Application🔆

❓Are we named after the women of the Bible? Mary, Ruth, Esther, Hannah? Are we following their footsteps?

❓Are we named after Biblical traits? Grace, Mercy, Joy, Hope? Is that quality present in our life?

My name, Tina is a short form of Christina which means "follower of Christ"! Am I following Christ in everything I do? Do I live upto my name?

Let us all find out meanings of our names and find out if we are doing justice to the name 😊

Like-minded brothers & co/rulers

👬 Like-minded brothers & co/rulers 👬

After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani. Next unto him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of the half part of Keilah, in his part.

After him repaired their brethren, Bavai the son of Henadad, the ruler of the half part of Keilah.

Nehemiah 3:17,18👬

Hashabiah and Bavai are rulers of Keilah. Hashabiah ruled one half while Bavai ruled the other half. Verse 18 calls them "brethren".

▪They were Levites.

▪They were co-rulers.

▪They were brothers.

What amazed me was the unity among them. They joined hands to build the wall. Let us take the previous verse.

📍After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of the half part of Bethzur,

Nehemiah 3:16📍

Nehemiah, son of Azbuk was ruler of half-part of Bethzur. He was involved in the re-building. But the ruler of the other half is not mentioned.

Hashabiah and Bavai stand out. There was no enmity between them. They had an oneness of mind. It's amazing when brothers stand united, have oneness of mind and serve the Lord together. Aaron and Moses joined hands to lead the Israelites. Yes, they had problems, but they reconciled.

👬Psalm 133:1

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!👬

My father in law has five brothers. They join hands to conduct the asanam(loving feast) in their father's village every year. It is a reminder and inspiration for me when I see it.

🔆 Application 🔆

❓ How are we raising our children today?

🤝 Do we teach them the importance of oneness and unity?

They may have different goals, different tastes, different aims in life. But it is important to stay united and  have an oneness of mind. 👬

As mothers, may we build the bridge of love between them with prayer. A few days back, a devotion about Esau and Jacob came up during our family prayer. God helped me to teach the children about the importance of asking forgiveness and forgiving.

Let us teach them about Hashabiah & Bavai too, who served the Lord! May our children join hands and serve the Lord 🙌

THE GATE HAMMIPHKAD

THE GATE HAMMIPHKAD 💂‍♀

Nehemiah 3:31 After him Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs as far as the house of the Nethinim and of the merchants, in front of the Miphkad Gate, and as far as the upper room at the corner.

 The Miphkad Gate was located at the northeast corner of the city. The Hebrew word has a military connotation and refers to the mustering of the troops for numbering and inspection. When our Lord returns, He will gather His people together and review their works in preparation for giving out rewards for faithful service.

🔆For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Each of us shall give account of himself to God.

Romans 14:10-12🔆

Every believer has the opportunity to serve the Lord. When Jesus comes back He will review our lives and reward faithful service.  Although believers cannot lose their salvation they can lose their reward. This will result in grief and shame for them.

🔆Application🔆

Will you receive a reward for faithful service at Christ's judgment?

Or will you be ashamed?

EAST GATE

EAST GATE 🚪

Nehemiah 3:29 After them Zadok the son of Immer made repairs in front of his own house. After him Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the East Gate, made repairs.

The East Gate led directly to the temple and is probably what we know today as the Golden Gate. Tradition says that Jesus entered the temple on Palm Sunday through this gate. In the sixteenth century, the gate was sealed up with blocks of stone by the Turkish sultan, Sulayman the Magnificent. Jewish and Christian tradition both connect the Golden Gate with the coming of the Messiah to Jerusalem.

So, we have every reason to associate this gate with the coming of the Lord. This gate reminds us that Jesus Christ will return soon. Therefore we must be ready at all times.

🔆1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.🔆

🔆 APPLICATION 🔆

👀 Are you watching the east gate?

👀 Are you looking for Christ's return?

💪 Are you ready or will you be caught unprepared?

✅ Whether you will you be confident or ashamed depends on your personal relationship with Christ?

✅ Are you continually abiding in Him?

HORSE GATE

🐎 THE HORSE GATE 🐎

Neh 3:28 Beyond the Horse Gate the priests made repairs, each in front of his own house

The Horse Gate stood north of the Water Gate, adjacent to the temple area. God warned His people not to trust in horses and chariots, but Solomon imported them from Egypt and they became an important part of the nation’s defense system.

Priests, Sheep gate and the Horse gate:

🔆The priests repaired the Horse Gate as well as the Sheep Gate.

🔆Both were near the temple area.

🔆The priests offered the sacrifices and were their spiritual warriors through prayer.

The Horse Gate reminds us, there is warfare in the Christian life and that we must always be ready to fight.

🛡Ephesians 6:10-12 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.🛡

Christians are called to fight for their Lord against the adversary. We do this through

🙏PRAYER

📖THE WORD OF GOD

🛡THE ARMOR OF GOD

🛡 Application ⚔

Have you entered the horse gate?

Are you engaged in spiritual warfare?

Are you relying on the Lord in prayer?

Do you use the Word of God as your sword?

Do you take up the armor each day for protection?

*If you want to be victorious these things are vital*.🏆

Sisters, today let us analyze ourselves.

▪What do we do during trials? Take it to God or take it out on the person?

▪Do we use the word of God or our own words?

▪Are we relying on God or are we relying on our own strength?

He is there to fight our battles, when He fights, we get victory! May we always run to Him and not take things into our own hands! May we learn to walk through the Horse Gate!